Was Shakespeare A Plagiarist ?

I have studied literature although I have centered my studies in spanish literature. From my point of view, I don´t think it is that important who ws the real person behind the author. The important things are his works. And whoever wrote that was a genious. You are naming 3 great names as "could have been" him. Maybe he took something from here and something from there. All great authors do. The greatness is in putting it all together. Have you ever wondered how could the Bronte sisters have written their novels while leading such a secluded life? Is the answer to that more important than their works? I think not.

“His educational background”?? Hmmm … some folks are naturally gifted. Has anybody ever really found anything in the writings or records of Christopher Marlowe, the Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, and Francis Bacon, and whoever else, to indicate that they thought William was trying to take credit for - and get paid for - what they wrote; and that it was a real bone of contention and a sore spot with them? They had courts back then. Couldn't they have sued him? Just askin'. People are all over people these days about theft of intellectual property rights. Is that the norm for this century? Shakespeare was only a pen name? OK! Lots of writers use pen names. But back in the day, it wasn't common practice for church leaders to put fake names or pen names on baptismal certificates. Evidently, there was a real person named William Shakespeare. The dispute over the authenticity of William Shakespeare as the author of all of those works that bear his name seems pointless. But I'm sure people will continue the dispute anyway.

It is indeed somewhat strange that the greatest literary genius in human history was a man about so little is known, and what information there is about him reveals what I have understood to be a man who could be described as average. But I personaly believe him to be the author of the works attributed to him; that's just my personal opinion, which may or may not be true. Somehow it seems fitting that genius of the calibre of Shakespeare's be be a mystery; because after all, is not genius a mystery? Unless I'm wrong, it can spring from the most ordinary families, and for no logical reason, and can be possessed by uncolourful individuals, as well as colourful ones. In the end, when someone says why should Shakepseare be the author of his work, a good answer might be...why not? Why should it be anyone else, after all? Because they seem more likely? Why? No, for me, odd as may seem, the works of William Shakespeare were indeed written by the man himself. He was bestowed with the most incredible genius...why? Who can say. This is my belief.

I'm not really interested to the identity of Shakespeare, but only to the heritage of dramas, man reflection, the contents and the messages contained in these works. I don't know who Shakespeare was, but I know (or I can try to know) who is Amleto. ;)

I came across this . But why people back of that? Why didn't look at the good work they made. Who knows exactly that master pieces are written by whom?? Who ever it may be we need to look at the content.

I still believe that Shakespeare is diffrenet from edward de Vere. Talented doesnt mean that he must educated. All educated people doesn 't mean that they are talented.

Well, if he was in the same can be said for Marlowe as well and several other Renaissance writers of that era, but I don't believe that he was. People borrowed ideas from others, and a few people may have stolen ideas and stories from others, but I don't really think that Shakespeare stole his stories from anyone. Although, I am taking Renaissance Literature right now, and it is rather interesting, but I don't know if he is a plagiarist or not, it is hard to say. One of Christopher Marlowe's poems, "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love", very famous poem by the way, was said to have been taken from another poet and writer, and from the looks for it, it could very well have happened, but the other thing is, a lot of language and stories where shared back then, and stories would have gotten passed around left and right, and many poets and writes could have gotten their ideas from anyone and anywhere. I don't want to say that William Shakespeare was a plagiarist, but then again, who really knows for sure, unless you were alive in that era or can travel to time to actually find out?

Your post sounds a lot like the movie Anonymous. I read a review of it and it mentioned all of these things. I think a lot the speculation around Shakespeare is hogwash. People have vivid imaginations, and it seems a lot of people direct their imagination towards Shakespeare's identiy.

For me maybe because they believe in the way of truth about that case.

I have heard of this issue too- which is made into a movie "Anonymous." i didn't really now that there was an issue until I encountered the movie. It is quite interesting, and I shall see the movie first before making comments about Shakespeare. I don't now much about his life, only some of his plays..which are really awesome, it would be awesome if he really made those.

This argument has been going on for the last several hundred years! When I studied Shakespeare at school more than 40 years ago, the same stuff was said. Who cares who wrote it! It's good stuff anyway. It will still be part of British tradition regardless whose name is on it.

I think there is a truth to it coz there are so many other facts that have been twisted with some research and explaination that we get from some sources such as Discovery and History channel. Better not stir what is considered as national treasure no? Truth will adhered.

I don't know if this is something which can ever be proved. But in these days it was normal to have someone to write down your thoughts or ideas or plays. Might be Shakespeare did do that for someone else but if so I am sure that person knew it. And if someone knows that or is writing books and are using someone elses name this is not what I call plagiatry. If not so, and the writing is from his hands Shakespeare might have been a very observing and smart person. Able to remember, paint pictures about the stories he heard from others. And this is not different from what many writers do. There are enough who write about places, languages, situations they never been at or in to. And also in that case he is not a plagiarist. Personally I don't think it matters who wrote it or who Shakespeare actually was. It's about the plays/stories who wrote history. That is what counts and will be remembered. Only nowadays people scream for attention and they want their name on everything and have the credit for what they did. But... what's in a name? It's the story that counts, no more no less.